In the original story, Princess Aurora sleeps for 100 years before being awakened by a prince's kiss. In the Disney version, Prince Philip comes to her rescue much sooner. George Brun's orchestral score, which was nominated for an Academy Award®, expertly blended famous themes from Tchaikovsky's ballet. With a budget that exceeded $6 million in 1959, this was Walt

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Overview

In the original story, Princess Aurora sleeps for 100 years before being awakened by a prince's kiss. In the Disney version, Prince Philip comes to her rescue much sooner. George Brun's orchestral score, which was nominated for an Academy Award®, expertly blended famous themes from Tchaikovsky's ballet. With a budget that exceeded $6 million in 1959, this was Walt Disney's most lavish and expensive animated feature to date. Determined to make the characters as realistic as possible, Disney had a live action film shot with actors posing as Sleeping Beauty, the Prince, and Maleficent, for the animators to use. New York Times critic Bosley Crowther called the fight between Prince Philip and Maleficent "the noisiest and scariest go-round he [Disney] has ever put into one of his films."

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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Donald Liebenson

Movies like this come along "once upon a dream." Released in 1959, the wildly ambitious and stylistically bold Sleeping Beauty -- at the time the most expensive animated feature ever -- mimicked Walt Disney's similarly grand Fantasia at the box office. That is, it failed. Nevertheless, both films are now considered among Disney's masterworks. This is old-school Disney, with enchanting princess Aurora; spell-breaking Prince Philip; evil villainess Malificent; scene-stealing good fairies Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather; and cute forest creatures to befriend our heroine. Sleeping Beauty makes a royal debut on DVD in a wide-screen presentation that does full justice to the majestic panoramas. The Tchaikovsky-inspired score contains the Disney standard "Once Upon a Dream," as well as the rollicking drinking song "Skumps." The climactic fight between Prince Philip and Maleficent, who transforms herself into a terrible dragon, is the stuff nightmares are made of, and it remains spectacular. It would be another 30 years until the Disney studios reentered the fairy tale realm with The Little Mermaid.

All Movie Guide

The lavish, expensive Sleeping Beauty was something of a throwback for the Walt Disney Company, which had been churning out popular, if slight, live-action films throughout the 1950s. The musical's painstakingly rich animation and the timeless fairy-tale material place it in the same league as other, earlier beloved Disney titles such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (1937), Pinocchio (1940), or Cinderella (1950). The animation is the most notable aspect of the film: it combines the lush colors of a 1930s Disney film with a distorted, almost expressionistic look. The overall effect is interesting and impressive, if somewhat mannered. The original widescreen format and George Bruns' elegant, Oscar-nominated score -- based on Tchaikovsky's original Sleeping Beauty Ballet -- also contribute to the film's sensuousness.

Scene Index

Disc #3 -- Sleeping Beauty: Standard DVD Version 1. Opening Credits ("Once Upon a Dream") 2. "In a Far Away Land Long Ago..." 3. "Hail to the Princess Aurora" 4. The Three Good Fairies 5. The Gifts of Beauty and Song 6. Maleficent Appears 7. Merryweather's Gift 8. The Fairies' Plan 9. Maleficent's Frustration10. Briar Rose's 16th Birthday11. Briar Rose in the Forest12. Prince Phillip Hears a Haunting Voice13. "I Wonder"14. Briar Rose's Dream Prince ("Once Upon a Dream")15. Meanwhile, Back at the Cottage16. Dueling Wands17. King Stefan and King Hubert Toast the Future ("Skumps")18. Phillip's Disappointing News19. Aurora Returns to the Castle20. The Curse Is Fulfilled21. The Sun Sets22. Putting the Whole Castle to Sleep ("Sleeping Beauty")23. Phillip Walks Into a Trap24. In Maleficent's Domain25. Maleficent Visits Phillip in His Cell26. The Escape From the Forbidden Mountain27. A Forest of Thorns28. Battle With the Forces of Evil29. The Spell Is Broken30. A Happy Ending

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

At a hefty cost of six million dollars and six years in production, Walt Disney¿s 'Sleeping Beauty' promised to be the most ambitious animated feature ever produced. However, changing public tastes resulted in a majestic glossy-looking effort that, despite its technical innovations, failed to become the blockbuster the studio had hoped for. The story, slightly changed from its Grimm¿s fairytale origins, charts the birth of Princess Aurora (vocal by Mary Costa). The young Princess is cursed by the evil Maleficent, a sorceress visually realized by animator, Mark Davis, that has to rank among the all time great Disney villainesses. Before her sixteenth birthday, Aurora will die. But three good fairies believe otherwise. They usher off the baby Aurora into the woods and raise her as their own. But Aurora meets up with her future when she comes across the brooding Prince Philip (vocal by Bill Shirley). When Maleficent discovers their romance, she is determined to see that tomorrow never comes for the couple. The magnificently staged battle between Prince Philip and Maleficent is chillingly good entertainment on every level and the story is as fresh and appealing to seniors as it is for the young at heart. 'Sleeping Beauty' was shot in Technirama - a Cinemascope-style 2:35:1 aspect ratio that, in the past, has suffered on 1:33:1 television displays in a cropped off pan and scan image. On disc one of this two disc set we get both the Technirama transfer and a full frame copy ¿ to satisfy those who have yet to realize that full frame means fifty percent of the image is missing from their television screens. The review herein will concentrate on the widescreen version of the film which, in a word, is beautiful! Colors are rich, vibrant, bold and have been carefully rebalanced to provide a very smooth and crisp looking transfer. Contrast levels are fully realized. A few problems - minor digital noise and a halo effect during portions of the forest sequence that flashes so quickly you almost have to stop and think, 'Did I just see that?' The audio, remixed to 5.1 but strident, strangely lacking in bass - I say, strangely because 'Sleeping Beauty' was recorded in stereo that, while, of course, should sound dated by today's standards, usually has a strong sonic bass characteristic that is curiously absent here. Extras too are something of a disappointment. We get the 'Once Upon A Dream' featurette - billed as a `new¿ documentary on the making of the film. Created for the previously issued laserdisc and VHS copies this featurette is too short - not covering the scope of production. Next, there's the Peter Tchaikovsky Story - a largely fictional account of the man who was inspired to write, among other things, the 'Sleeping Beauty' ballet. The transfer here is terribly faded, suffers from chips and scratches and digital noise, edge enhancement and shimmering fine details. We also get the 'Grand Canyon' featurette that accompanied 'Sleeping Beauty' on its original theatrical engagement, but again, as with the Tchaikovsky Story, all the same criteria apply and - this time - the Technirama image HAS NOT BEEN ENHANCED FOR 16:9 TELEVISION DISPLAYS!!! There's a really, REALLY awful music video and a few short featurettes that, among other topics, explain how the film was shot, the techniques used in the animation and the restoration process employed for this new DVD. Over all, I could have done without these studio junkets, especially since none of them were even moderately cleaned up for inclusion into this special edition. Still, for its stunning art of animation and a near pristine anamorphic transfer of the film - once upon a dream no more!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

As an adult student of animation and Disney collector, this Blu-Ray set is a dream come true. Sleeping Beauty has never looked and sounded this good before. All of the already-posted comments regarding the visual quality are dead on you could not ask for anything better. Another reviewer commented on the strident soundtrack. I admit that I have a fairly high-end sound system, but on mine, it sounded great - certainly no lack of bass. As if the Sleeping Beauty wasn't enough by itself, Disney also included the spectacular Grand Canyon short. I remember seeing this 35 years ago on an old 35mm film in jr. high school and loving it then and have been wanting to see it again ever since. A previous reviewer said that it was not enhanced for widescreen TVs - NOT SO - at least on the Blu-Ray release. It was a beautiful widescreen transfer that was so clear it looked as though it may have been filmed in hi-def - which, of course it wasn't. The soundtrack is as clear as you could hope for in a 1959 early stereo recording, and has a very high dynamic range - the bass during the cloudburst section rattled the windows. I only wish that the True Life Adventures recently released as the Legacy Collection series had been as well restored. These two films, alone, are reason to buy this Blu-Ray set. The other &amp amp amp quot features&amp amp amp quot are interesting enough, although not &amp amp amp quot must-haves&amp amp amp quot . My favorite is probably the cyber walk-through of the old Sleeping Beauty attraction from Disneyland. The attraction has long since been closed, but it is one that I enjoyed on a number of occasions when I visited the park. If this is any indication of what is to come in the future, I cannot wait for Snow White, Pinocchio, and Fantasia to be issed on Blu-Ray!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This is a wonderful animated film. Having watched it over and over as a child, I now also appreciate it as an adult. One warning to parents of small children: the scene where Maleficent turns into the dragon and fights Prince Phillip can be scary. It gave me nightmares for a time when I was little. But the music in the film is beautiful and ethereal. And Meriweather does steal the show!

MELISSA94MM

More than 1 year ago

THANK GOD A REAL DISNEY MOVIE. OTHER SELLERS NOT SO NICE.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

JesusButterfly

More than 1 year ago

Sleeping Beauty has always been my favorite of the Disney classics. I grew up with it and as a teenager still love and cherish it. To see it come to life as it does on the Blu-Ray disc is enchanting. It brings the quality and magic of the film to life. The sound is incridble and the graphics are lovely. Still I don't think it is necssary to get the Blu-Ray disc. It works just as well as the regular DVD one I own, compared to the Blu-Ray my friend owns.

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More than 1 year ago

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Guest

More than 1 year ago

This is my favorite Disney movie along with Beauty and the Beast. Aurora is an absolute joy to watch--she's such an innocent and sweet girl, totally unspoiled by the trappings of royalty. Philip is noble, courageous, and handsome--he's perfect for pure Aurora. Maleficent always gave me the creeps, but I think she's one of Disney's most beautiful villainesses--that laugh just chills you! And the fairies--bossy Flora, naive Fauna, and practical Merriwether--I wish they had brought me up! It's one of the best fairy tales the world has ever experienced, and Disney just made it better with this new DVD release!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Rather underappreciated in its original 1959 release, this has become a classic over the years, and a special favorite of adult animation fans...Many of them, including me, are excited that Disney is turning its wonderful widescreen masterpiece into a new special edition and blu-ray edition soon...it is sure to be spectacular.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

This is one of mmy daughter's favorite movies

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More than 1 year ago

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megan12

More than 1 year ago

loved it

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This is an excellent movie! It is my personal Disney favorite. Sleeping Beauty doesn't get the credit it deserves. It is a great movie to watch, the fairies are funny, and even the animals are lovable! (The humans are too!)

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Pure Disney Gold!! I've loved this movie since I was 1, I'm now 18!

civilwargirl

More than 1 year ago

Sleeping Beauty is back in all of its glory! The restoration of this classic is beautiful and the extra's are fantastic. Disney outdid themselves with this DVD.

foreverinmyheart

More than 1 year ago

One of many classics of Disney and will always treasure it. Helps children to realize that dreams can come true.

athenagodess

More than 1 year ago

Reminded me what to look for in a man. As a girl I always thought my man should sing and dance. This movie inspires little girls on many levels. I love this movie.